Thousands of Denver Broncos fans who bleed blue and orange on Sundays gave the gift of life in record numbers Tuesday at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Bonfils Blood Center’s 11th annual Drive for Life drew 2,913 donors, including current and former Broncos players and 572 first-time givers, who gave 2,032 units of blood. Those totals broke records set at the Broncos’ blood drive two years ago, when 2,896 donors gave 1.872 units.
Broncos fans came decked out in team colors and some, like Dale Turner of Arvada, made it an all-day event at the 12-hour blood drive.
Turner, a truck driver, takes a scheduled day off from work to give blood at the stadium, where he hooks up with his brother, Ken Turner.
“I love coming down and meeting the players and doing everything they offer along with giving blood,” said Turner, clad in an orange No. 7 John Elway jersey. “We hang out all day.”
The mood was festive. Concession stands provided “donor dogs,” and Broncos players signed autographs.
Fred and Elizabeth Ratliff, owners of Santa Fe Electric and season ticket- holders since 1964, took the morning off from work to donate blood together.
Fred Ratliff first gave blood when he was 16 in a drive for a police motorcycle officer who had gotten in an accident. Three years ago he lost a son, Brett, to leukemia.
“Anytime is a good time” to give blood, said Ratliff, who gives several times a year. Still, he particularly loves the “camaraderie” of the Broncos community blood drive.
“It’s important, it’s life blood,” Elizabeth Ratliff added. “So many people need it.”
